Shiny Surfaces' Resurgence Signified by Restroom's Aesthetics
In the heart of London, an apartment on the River Thames shines with a serpentine brass pendant light and a gold-leaf console table covered in clear resin, setting the stage for a trend that's taking the interior design world by storm. This trend, which strongly emphasizes the use of metallic surfaces, particularly those with gold tones, is creating warm, luxurious, and timeless interiors.
Charu Gandhi, the founder and director of Elicyon, observes that this resurgence of metallics is due to their warmth, timeless appeal, and ability to add luxury and character. One example of this trend is the popularity of Calacatta Gold Marble, with its striking gold veining, which blends classic elegance with modern luxury.
Designers are not limiting themselves to just marble. They are combining these luxurious metallic elements with other materials like brushed brass fixtures to enhance the sense of warmth and luxury while maintaining timelessness. This balance between traditional and contemporary styles is a significant theme in 2025 design trends.
In addition to marble, metallic accents are popular in decorative elements and surfaces, including metallic paints used in epoxy resin applications that produce shimmering, dynamic patterns. These approaches enrich the visual texture and depth of spaces, reinforcing the luxurious yet approachable atmosphere.
The use of shiny surfaces, such as gold, is back in vogue. However, it's essential to strike the right balance when combining shiny surfaces with matte finishes or natural textures to ensure it feels refined and modern rather than excessive and dated.
Brass, in particular, is often lauded as a versatile and elegant choice, especially when used in period properties. For instance, in a kitchen, brass taps nod to the trend for cottagecore and Victorian, without descending into pastiche.
Nickel, a more clean and polished alternative to gold and brass, is also making a statement. In a Mayfair bathroom designed by Charlton Brown, the nickel-finish sanitaryware really pops against the green marble.
Mixing metals can be effective, as demonstrated by a staircase by SHH. This approach allows for a layered interior, a mentality that has replaced the old notion that all metal finishes needed to match.
One shining example of this trend is the ornate gilded bathroom, a replica of Freddie Mercury's Kensington house bathroom, which was created by Drummonds and used in the set of the Bohemian Rhapsody biopic. This gilded bathroom, now located in a Surrey home, is a testament to the power of metallics to evoke luxury and timelessness.
Ed O'Donnell, co-founder and creative director of Angel O'Donnell, suggests that a single shiny object can be as eye-catching as a full-tilt commitment to all things light-reflecting. Lindsay Cuthill, co-founder of Blue Book Agency, adds that one of the key attributes of brass is its authenticity, which only improves with age.
The 2025 colour of the year, Mocha Mousse, a warming, bronzed hue that appears to shimmer, further reinforces this trend. This nurturing and comforting colour answers our desire for comfort while maintaining the luxurious and timeless appeal of metallics.
Alexandra Goss, an award-winning journalist specializing in lifestyle and property features, captures this trend perfectly: "The impact of metallic surfaces in interior design today is to add warmth through golden hues and reflectivity, evoke luxury through high-quality natural and crafted materials, and achieve a timeless appeal by thoughtfully blending traditional aesthetics with modern minimalism and sustainability considerations."
In conclusion, the resurgence of metallic surfaces in interior design is a testament to the enduring appeal of gold tones in creating warm, luxurious, and timeless interiors. Whether it's a serpentine brass pendant light, a gilded bathroom, or a simple brass tap, these shiny surfaces add a touch of magic to any home.
Home and garden magazines are increasingly featuring interior designs that incorporate metallic surfaces, following the resurgence of gold tones in creating warm, luxurious, and timeless spaces. In fact, the 2025 colour of the year, Mocha Mousse, a warming, bronzed hue that appears to shimmer, reinforces this trend, providing a nurturing and comforting atmosphere while maintaining the timeless appeal of metallics.
Designers are combining various materials like Calacatta Gold Marble, brushed brass fixtures, and metallic paints with epoxy resin applications to create shimmering and dynamic patterns, enriching the visual texture and depth of spaces. This balance between traditional and contemporary styles is a significant theme in 2025 design trends, as they emphasize the use of materials like brass and nickel to evoke luxury and character, rather than excessive and dated shiny surfaces.
